Episode 07: What's New
New and exciting businesses are constantly opening in Victoria, so the Postcards team set out to find what's new. This week, they check out a hotel for our best friends, delicious food, great views, art and a retreat in the hills.
The Pets Hotel
For a luxury holiday for your VIPs, Very Important Pets, The Pets Hotel is a three-million-dollar, state-of-the-art development within three kilometres of the CBD. There are four levels of accommodation starting at the Classic, and moving to the Deluxe, the Petsecuvtive and the two-room Presidential Suite, complete with a flat screen TV. All come with bedtime treats and pups love Yappy Hour, where it's dog-only play in the purpose built indoor park, called Central Bark. If your best friend is a yuppie puppy, they can use the valet or butler service that includes private transfers.
The hotel also caters for cats, with two types of suites available. All have private litter boxes and a guaranteed hour of one-on-one time with a pet attendant who will play, brush, walk or just sit and cuddle your beloved cat.
The Pets Hotel
7 Phillip Court, Port Melbourne
Ph 03 9646 3696
Yarra Valley Dairy
The Yarra Valley Dairy was established in 1995 in an area with a long history of dairy farming. It's an hour's drive north-east of Melbourne in Yering and Le Jack is it's newest cheese. Created by Yarra Valley Dairy's cheese maker Jack Holman, it's a white mould, ripened goats milk cheese. You can try all of their delicious cheeses at their Cheese Shop, which is in the farm's original hundred-year-old milking shed, right next to the cheese factory. And you can stay on for lunch and watch the cheese being made through a special viewing window. After lunch, you can choose some extras from the shop like olive oils, pasta sauces, chutneys, chocolates and wines from local boutique wineries.
Yarra Valley Dairy
McMeikans Road, Yering
Ph 03 9739 0023
www.yvd.com.au
Gallery 34 at Yea
Yea is about an hour's drive north-east of Melbourne. Originally a gold mining, logging and farming town, it's now home to some of our best artists and Gallery 34 is the place to see their work. Gallery owner Olivia Lawson gave the town's old Commercial Bank building a facelift. It once stored local gold, but now holds artistic treasures and the exhibition space features some of Australia's most famous artists, including Charles Blackman. Olivia has also added a few little touches to welcome everyone. There's coffee and treats and she's converted the old vault into a play area for kids.
Gallery 34
34 High Street, Yea
Ph 03 5797 3222
www.gallery34.com.au
Sandbar Cafe and Beaumaris Hotel
The Sandbar Cafe takes up the prime position on the beach, just after the Kerferd Road Pier on Beaconsfield Parade in Middle Park. Sitting pretty on the sand with unrivalled views of Port Phillip Bay, you can start your day with breakfast on the beach, and there are not too many places in Melbourne where you can do that.
For lunch or dinner, the legendary Beaumaris Hotel is about half an hour along the beach road from Sandbar. The "Beauey" is one of Melbourne's most iconic and loved pubs. Built in 1888, it's retained much of its original charm after extensive renovation. You can still have a beer and shoot pool in the Schooner Bar, and get a great meal. But the food is a little different from the old days. New owner Simon Lennox says that there's never been food like this at the pub and it's part of his plan to develop the Beaumauris into a cafe, function centre and bar.
Sandbar Cafe
175b Beaconsfield Parade, Middle Park
Ph 03 9696 6334
The Beaumaris Hotel
472 Beach Road, Beaumaris
Ph 03 9589 3251
www.thebeaumaris.com.au
Historic Country Farmhouse Retreat
The Historic Country Farmhouse Retreat sits amid the rolling hills and farmland of the Jim Crow Valley, only a short drive from Daylesford, an hour and a half north-west of Melbourne. For a private retreat, there are two beautiful stone homesteads, each crafted by early gold-rush settlers. Both have been restored, are fully self-contained and have their own private acreage. They are a five-minute drive from each other, so guests have peace and quiet. For families or groups, The Farmhouse has three bedrooms and is on a cliff above the Yandoit creek. Amy's Cottage is an adult only retreat created for couples. The one-bedroom cottage has a stunning veranda and you can unwind in the hot tub, relax by the outdoor open fireplace or forage in the veggie garden for the best of the season.
Historic Country Farmhouse Retreat
1530 Hepburn Newstead Road, Clydesdale
Ph 03 5476 4471
www.daylesfordcountryretreat.com.au
Postcards diary
Peninsula Easter Egg Hunt
For all the fun of an Easter egg hunt, take the family to Mornington.
Where: Mornington Racecourse
When: 9 April 2011
More: www.showtimeattractions.com.au/easter/Index.html
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Have a laugh and a night out at one of the many festival events.
Where: various
When: 30 March – 24 April 2011
More: www.comedyfestival.com.au
Myer Melbourne Public Opening
Jennifer Hawkins and a host of dignitaries will be at the official opening and ribbon cutting of the new Myer Melbourne store.
Where: Bourke Street Mall
When: 1 April 2011, 8.30am
More: www.myer.com.au